Delayed growth in two German shepherd dog littermates with normal serum concentrations of growth hormone, thyroxine, and cortisol.
Four German Shepherd Dogs from a litter of 10 were evaluated because of postnatal onset of proportionate growth stunting that clinically resembled well-documented hypopituitary dwarfism in that breed. Although 2 pups had histologic evidence of hypopituitarism, the remaining 2 pups had normal serum growth hormone concentration and adrenocorticotropin secretory capability, and normal adrenal function test and thyroid function study results. Furthermore, the initially stunted German Shepherd Dogs grew at a steady rate until at 1 year, body weight and shoulder height approximated normal measurements. Seemingly, delayed growth in these pups may represent one end of a clinical spectrum associated with hypopituitarism in German Shepherd Dogs.
Randolph
J F
JF
Department of Clinical Sciences, New York State College of Veterinary Medicine, Cornell University, Ithaca.
Miller
C L
CL
Cummings
J F
JF
Lothrop
C D
CD
D000302:Adrenal Cortex / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000097:blood*; D004285:Dogs; D004393:Dwarfism, Pituitary / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D005260:Female; D006130:Growth Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary*; D013006:Growth Hormone / Q000097:blood*; D006854:Hydrocortisone / Q000097:blood*; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000097:blood / Q000662:veterinary; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I / Q000032:analysis; D008297:Male; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000032:analysis / Q000503:physiopathology; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000503:physiopathology; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000097:blood*
D007334:Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; D013006:Growth Hormone; D013974:Thyroxine; D006854:Hydrocortisone